Effect of Allium hookeri on Fat Accumulation and Serum Biochemical Changes in Rats Fed High Fat Diet

In this study, we determined the relationship between Allium hookeri (Ah) supplementation as dietary source and high-fat diet-induced weight gain and obesity. In order to do that, randomly divided twenty 7-week old Slc: SD strain male rats were fed control diet (CON), or a high-fat diet (HFD), each without or with 1% of Ah (HA and HFA). Rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks of study and body and organ weight as well as blood were collected at the time of sacrifice. The effects of Ah on weight gain of rats, organ, and adipose tissue weight were measured. Furthermore, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and amino acid in serum were measured, as well. The mRNA expression levels were determined to detect lipid metabolism-related parameters. As a result, total saturated fatty acid was reduced in serum of HFD rats fed supplementation with 1% of Ah (P<0.01). The Ah supplementation increased contents of monounsaturated fatty acid (P<0.001), polyunsaturated fatty acid (P<0.05), and total w3 (P<0.05) in the serum. Relative mRNA expression levels of CYP7A, BSEP, FXR, PXR, and SCD1 were significantly increased by Ah supplementation. Adipogenic and detoxificationrelated genes were upregrulated in the livers of the HFA compared to those in the HFD. Our results suggest that the beneficial effects of dietary Ah on HFD are mediated via activation of certain genes related to detoxification and increased levels of unsaturated fatty acids in the liver and serum of rats.